American Federation of Teachers New Jersey, AFL-CIO

Month: June 2017

Higher Ed NewsMediaPress Clips
AFTNJ

Lawmakers fight Christie’s plan to cut aid for college students

BY AVALON ZOPPO, For NJ.com

TRENTON — Teachers and education advocates are urging lawmakers in the state’s Capitol to shoot down a budget proposal that would cut millions of dollars to low-income college students.

Gov. Chris Christie’s budget, first circulated in February, proposes a $3.6 million drop in aid to the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), a program that offers financial services to economically disadvantaged students.…

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AFTNJ

Murphy for Governor, Labor Candidates and State Legislative Endorsements

The union’s delegate assembly voted Monday night to issue endorsements for the November 7 general election, affirming support for Phil Murphy for Governor, along with a slate of state legislative and AFL-CIO labor candidates.

“Elections matter and this election in particular will determine the future of this state,” said AFT New Jersey President Donna M. Chiera.…

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AFTNJ

AFT New Jersey Calls For Better Funding for Successful College Student Program

American Federation of Teachers New Jersey President Donna M. Chiera said, “The Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program reflects sound educational practices—offering disadvantaged students who are willing to do the work social, emotional, financial and academic support to help mitigate the impact of poverty and give them the opportunity to succeed in pursuing higher education. We thank Senate President Steve Sweeney and all the legislators who recognize the value of the program and call on the Governor to support these students by retaining the funding level in the budget proposal.”…

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Charter school won’t pay teachers for final 2 months, Sign petition for accountability

By Adam Clark, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

NEWARK — A New Jersey charter school ordered to shut down at the end of June may close its doors without paying the final two months of teachers’ salaries, state and local union leaders say.

Teachers at Merit Preparatory Charter School in Newark are not unionized and have individual employment contracts stipulating they work during the 10-month school year and have their paychecks spread out over the 12-month calendar year, according to the American Federation of Teachers New Jersey chapter.

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AFT New Jersey Supports Adjunct Faculty Member Wrongly Fired after Tucker Carlson Appearance

American Federation of Teachers New Jersey (AFTNJ) President Donna M. Chiera issued the following statement on Essex County College Adjunct Faculty Member Lisa Durden, who was unjustifiably terminated following an appearance on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News Channel show: “In a discussion with Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, Essex County College Adjunct Faculty member Lisa Durden tried to point out aspects of white privilege.…

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Concerns from Activists Prompt Rutgers to Review Its “Disruption” Policy

By Jack Murtha

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Rutgers University President Robert Barchi said recent revisions to a longstanding policy governing the line between a protest and a disruption haven’t clamped down on political speech and activities on campus.

But the school’s faculty union and other activists—including Carimer Andujar, the rising senior and undocumented immigrant whose status here was recently questioned by federal immigration authorities—disagree.…

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Rutgers updates policy on protests; union fights back

Nick Muscavage

NEW BRUNSWICK – Rutgers University has recently updated and revised its guidelines in regards to protests, organizing and free speech — a move that the university’s union views as support for President Donald Trump’s agenda.

On April 6, the Board of Governors adopted a resolution revising the school’s policies and expanding the scope of what is deemed unacceptable when it comes to organizing.…

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Higher Ed NewsReclaim Rutgers
AFTNJ

Video: Rutgers One Confronts President Barchi To Stand Up for Free Speech and Protest On Campus

Video: Carimer Andujar, Prof. David Hughes and Prof. Rob Scott speak to the Rutgers Board of Governors to protest changes in policy that could stifle free speech and protest on campus.

Letter from David Hughes/Rutgers AAUP-AFT

Dear Governors of Rutgers University:

I write—on behalf of the 7000 members of the Rutgers AAUP-AFT faculty union—to oppose your recent restriction of political expression at Rutgers University.…

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Higher Ed NewsMediaPress ClipsReclaim Rutgers
AFTNJ

Lawmakers nudge along idea of giving students more say at Rutgers

By Michael Symons

David Hughes, president of the Rutgers chapter of the American Association of University Professors-American Federation of Teachers faculty union, said nobody currently voting on the Board of Governors experiences daily life on campus as students do.

“They need and deserve a voice in how the institution is run – financially, socially, politically. This is the sensible thing to do, which the other state institutions by and large do,” Hughes said.…

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Richard Johnson
AFTNJ News
AFTNJ

Services for Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson, May 3, 1948 – June 8, 2017, was a President of the Perth Amboy Federation President and Vice President of AFT New Jersey.

Friday, June 16, 2017
Visitation 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Service 11:00 AM
Cathedral International
277 Madison Ave
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861

“Richard will always be remembered as a true gentleman who served his students, his community and his profession with honor.…

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AFTNJ NewsPre-K to 12 News
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Early Childhood Educators: Join Professional Development Network

AFT New Jersey early childhood educators are invited to be part of the steering committee for the new early childhood professional learning network.

When: Thursday, June 29, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Where: 629 Amboy Ave., Suite 301, Edison, NJ (AFTNJ office)
RSVP: Krista Sweeney, 732-661-9393, ksweeney [@] aftnj.org (lunch provided)

“The Democratic nominee for Governor, Phil Murphy, has pledged to put pre-kindergarten for all front and center on his agenda,” said Donna M.…

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